Assessing the Perception of Pharmacy Students on Launching a Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health Dual Degree Program in Saudi Arabia: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study

Hisham A. Badreldin, Khalid Bin Saleh, Aisha F. Badr, Abdullah Alhifany, Shuroug A. Alowais, Sumaya N. Almohareb, Nada Alsuhebany, Abdulmajeed Alshehri, Mohammed Alzahrani, Anas Aldwsari, Ohoud Aljuhani, Ghazwa B. Korayem, Khalid Al Sulaiman, Allulu Alturki, Hayfa Alhaidal and Yazeed Ghawaa
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Hisham A. Badreldin: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Bin Saleh: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Aisha F. Badr: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Alhifany: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm AlQura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
Shuroug A. Alowais: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Sumaya N. Almohareb: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Nada Alsuhebany: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Abdulmajeed Alshehri: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Alzahrani: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Anas Aldwsari: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Ohoud Aljuhani: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Ghazwa B. Korayem: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Al Sulaiman: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Allulu Alturki: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Hayfa Alhaidal: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
Yazeed Ghawaa: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-7

Abstract: There is a lack of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree programs in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to examine current pharmacy students’ perceptions regarding establishing such a program and the perceived limitations and advantages of pursuing such a degree. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based short survey to assess the feasibility of establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in several randomly selected pharmacy schools in Saudi Arabia. Our cohort consisted of 657 students. Almost 56% were males, and nearly 58% were fourth-year pharmacy students. Close to 85% had a “very well” or “well” understanding regarding the pharmacist’s role in the public health area, and almost 70% stated that they see themselves playing a role in public health as a future pharmacist. Nearly 93% reported that they are either “very likely” or “likely” to enroll in such a program if given the opportunity. Almost 80% felt it would increase their job opportunities. On the other hand, close to 70% felt it would increase workload and stress. This study highlights pharmacy students’ positive perceptions regarding establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in Saudi Arabia. The study results could be utilized as the starting point to propose and establish this program to health education policymakers in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: pharmacy; pharmacy students; education; public health; dual degree; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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